The Mahabharata of Krishna-Dwaipayana Vyasa Bk. 3 Pt. 2 eBook

SECTION CCXXIX

“Markandeya continued, ’Those six ladies,
the wives of the seven Rishis when they learned
that good fortune had smiled on Mahasena and that
he had been made leader of the celestial forces,[39]
repaired to his camp. Those virtuous ladies of
high religious merit had been disowned by the Rishis.
They lost no time in visiting that leader of the celestial
forces and then addressed him thus, “We, O son,
have been cast out by our god-like husbands, without
any cause. Some people spread the rumour that
we gave birth to thee. Believing in the truth
of this story, they became greatly indignant, and
banished us from our sacred places. It behooves
thee now to save us from this infamy. We desire
to adopt thee as our son, so that, O mighty being,
eternal bliss may be secured to us by that favour.
Do thou thus repay the obligation thou owest to us.”

[39] Devasenapati is the original.
It may mean either the pati
(leader) of the sena
(forces) of devas or the pati
(husband) of Devasena.

“’Skanda replied, “O ladies of faultless
character, do you accordingly become my mothers.
I am your son and ye shall attain all the objects of
your desire.”

“Markandeya continued, ’Then Sakra having
expressed a wish to say something to Skanda, the latter
enquired, “What is it?” Being told by
Skanda to speak it out, Vasava said, “The lady
Abhijit, the younger sister of Rohini, being jealous
of her seniority, has repaired to the woods to perform
austerities. And I am at a loss to find out a
substitute for the fallen star. May good luck
attend on thee, do thou consult with Brahma
(for the purpose of filling up the room) of this great
asterism.” Dhanishtha and other asterisms
were created by Brahma, and Rohini used to
serve the purpose of one such; and consequently their
number was full. And in accordance with Sakra’s
advice, Krittika was assigned a place in the heavens,
and that star presided over by Agni shines
as if with seven heads. Vinata also said to Skanda,
“Thou art as a son to me, and entitled to offer
me the funeral cakes (at my funeral obsequies).
I desire, my son, to live with thee always.”

“’Skanda replied, “Be it so, all
honour to thee! Do thou guide me with a mother’s
affection, and honoured by thy daughter-in-law, thou
shalt always live with me."’

“Markandeya continued, ’Then the great
mothers spoke as follows to Skanda, “We have
been described by the learned as the mothers of all
creatures. But we desire to be thy mothers, do
thou honour us.”

“’Skanda replied, “Ye are all as
mothers to me, and I am your son. Tell me what
I can do to please you.”

“’The mothers replied, “The ladies
(Brahmi, Maheswari, &c.) were appointed as mothers
of the world in bygone ages. We desire, O great
god, that they be dispossessed of that dignity, and
ourselves installed in their place, and that we, instead
of them, be worshipped by the world. Do thou
now restore to us those of our progeny, of whom we
have been deprived, by them on thy account.”